Stories

Cultivator — March 10, 2017

Hope Reigns At Washington Conference

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, who represents Alabama’s 4th Congressional District, visits with Blount County Farmers Federation President Tim Whitley and Marshall County Farmers Federation President David Ellis March 8 during the Congressional barbecue. The dinner is a highlight of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Washington Legislative Conference.

Optimism filled the air as 140 Alabama farmers descended on the nation’s capital March 7-10 — a stark contrast to trips during the previous administration, said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell.

“Being in D.C. confirmed my belief that agriculture will experience real change under the Trump administration,” Parnell said. “We’ve seen this with his order to review the Waters of the U.S. rule and look forward to other improvements over the next few years.”

During the Federation’s 2017 Washington Legislative Conference, farmers were updated on federal issues including immigration and regulatory reform, biotechnology and the Endangered Species Act.

On March 8, U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, encouraged farmers to share ideas about the upcoming farm bill.

“The beauty of doing farm bills every five years is you get to address the things you didn’t get right,” Conaway said. “We’re going to get this bill done, and we’re going to get it done on time.”

Earlier that day, farmers were briefed by Special Assistant to the President and Director of White House Messaging Strategy Cliff Sims, who founded Yellowhammer News, and American Farm Bureau Federation Public Policy Executive Director Dale Moore.

Farmers met with Alabama’s U.S. representatives during Congressional breakfasts March 9, followed by meetings with U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby and Luther Strange.

Other events included a Congressional barbecue, U.S. Department of Agriculture visit and British Embassy tour.